Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Meth Found Hidden in Semi Fuel Tank at CA Border

Key Details U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 944 pounds of liquid methamphetamine from a semi truck at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility in San Diego County on March 2, 2026. A 26-year-old Mexican citizen driving the tractor-trailer was selected for secondary inspection after initial screening. How They Found It CBP officers used nonintrusive inspection technology before conducting a deeper examination of the vehicle. During inspection, officers opened the fuel tank and inserted a probe, discovering an unknown gel-like substance mixed with diesel fuel. They extracted 29 five-gallon buckets from the tanks, which tested positive for methamphetamine. Why It Matters This seizure represents a significant interdiction of dangerous narcotics at the border. The driver was turned over to Homeland Security, and both the tractor-trailer and drugs were seized. CBP Port Director Rosa Hernandez emphasized that officer vigilance prevented the drugs from reaching communities, underscoring the agency's commitment to border security and public safety.